Mild mature content 18+ only
Read at your own risk.
I wish alarm clocks had never been invented. I really hate waking up early. As I groaned and complained about my luck, a loud knock on the door startled me.
"Oli, se réveiller! Tu seras en retard pour l'école!" (Oli, wake up! You'll be late for school!)
I frowned and muttered back, "Se réveiller bientôt, rencontre-toi dans 20 minutes." (Waking up soon, see you in 20 minutes.)
I dragged myself out of bed and went to the bathroom. When I looked in the mirror, I hardly recognised myself. I used to wear my hair down, but now it's always in a ponytail. I used to like wearing a little makeup, but now I skip it. I grabbed some jeans and a plain shirt from my closet. There was a time when other girls at school copied my style.
Now? Not anymore.
At the dining table, Mehusa was setting out breakfast. She gave me a sad look. I ignored her, grabbed my toast, and left. I knew she wanted to talk about our last conversation, but I just wasn't up for it.
I got in my car and drove to school, hoping—no, actually praying—that today would be different. Or maybe I didn't really want it to change.
As soon as I parked and walked to my locker, my worst nightmare showed up: Brad Stanford, the football team captain and my biggest bully. He shoved me hard against the lockers, and my books crashed to the floor.
The reason for his hatred? I had slapped him once when he tried pressuring me into sleeping with him back when I was the cheerleading captain. Ever since then, he had made my life hell.
I bent down to pick up my books, but he kicked one aside, making everyone around us laugh. Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.
"I thought you'd be gone by now, Olivia," Brad sneered. "I've made it pretty clear that you're not wanted here. But look at you—so damn stubborn, showing up anyway."
I clenched my fists, swallowing the anger bubbling inside me.
Then, my gaze landed on him.
Carter West. My ex-boyfriend.
He wasn't laughing. He wasn't bullying me. He just stood there, his face blank, as if none of this concerned him.
I quickly looked away.
Brad shoved me one last time before walking away, leaving me standing there, shaking. I quickly stuffed my books into my locker and tried to hold back my tears. I wasn't going to let them see me cry.
Not again.
I walked to English class, where Carter was sitting with his new girlfriend, Emily Gomez. They looked happy, just like we used to be.
My mind drifted back to a time when everything felt normal.
Flashback
Friday nights at White Tigers Stadium were electric. The energy made my skin buzz and my heart race. The air smelled like popcorn and fresh-cut grass, and the roar of the crowd echoed in my chest.
And then there was Carter.
He moved across the field like he was made for it: fast, sharp, and completely untouchable. The way he dodged defenders and the power in every sprint made it impossible to look away.
I was on my feet before cheering with my cheerleading girls Go, White Tigers, go! My voice joined the chorus of cheers just as he made the final dash toward the end zone. Touchdown.
The stadium exploded.
I didn't think. I just ran, my pulse racing. Carter turned, sweat shining on his brow, and when he saw me, I couldn't help but notice that smile.
Cocky. Dimpled. Completely intoxicating.
"Congrats, babe!" I gasped, slightly breathless from my sprint. "I knew you'd win!"
He grabbed me, lifting me off the ground like I weighed nothing. "How could I lose," he murmured against my ear, "when my girl is out there cheering for me?"
I rolled my eyes, trying—and failing—to hide my smile. "Okay, Mr Flirt, enough. Come with me."
We slipped away from the roaring crowd, past the locker rooms, and into the dimly lit back hallway. My back had barely touched the wall before Carter was there, one hand beside my head and the other gripping my waist like he never wanted to let go.
"God, Olivia," he breathed, his lips skimming along my jaw. "You drive me crazy."
His fingers curled against my hoodie, tugging me closer, his touch sending wildfire through my veins.
"Yeah?" I teased, my voice barely above a whisper. "And what are you gonna do about it?"
Carter smirked, his thumb tracing slow circles against my hip. "I could tell you," he murmured, his breath warm against my lips. "But I'd rather show you."
My heart slammed against my ribs as he did exactly that—a slow, lingering kiss that made my knees weak.
Then, voices.
We broke apart, breathless.
The locker room doors swung open.
Brad. His stupid smirk. His gang of goons.
"Look who's here—the lovebirds," Brad sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.
I barely spared him a glance, still dizzy from Carter's kiss. Instead, I stood on my tiptoes and pecked Carter's lips once more.
"You coming to the party tonight?" he called after me as I pulled away.
I shook my head. "No, I have plans with Emily and Isaac, remember?"
Carter groaned. "Oh right, I forgot about that," he said, then kissed me again. "I'm going to miss you."
I laughed. "I'm going to miss you too. But it's okay, I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"
"Okay," he smirked, pulling me in for one last kiss.
I smiled, wishing I could freeze this moment forever.
After parking my car in the garage, I open the front door.
"Mehusa, Mehusa," but there were no answers when I found the letter sitting on the dining table.
"Chérie, I am going grocery shopping and lunch has been kept inside the fridge. eat it. You're becoming thinner day by day "
I rolled my eyes, took out my lunch, and started preparing for the night.
At 6:00, I heard the front door open. I rushed out, but it was just Mehusa. Disappointment washed over me, and I went back to my room.
I waited and waited and waited. It was 7:30 now. I started calling them, but their Number was not reachable. They were never late.
I wanted Carter to hug me. I felt so lonely and scared of being left behind, just as I had with my parents. Now my friends had done the same. I wanted to cry, but I told myself to stay strong. You can't cry over every little thing, I reminded myself. I started getting ready for the party, putting on a blue dress—one of Carter's favourites. I took one last look at myself and hurried out.
"Mehusa, I am going to a party ok," She became shocked.
"What, you have the plan with Emily and Issac?"
I sighed. "They won't be coming. Something came up," I lied. I didn't want her to worry. She knew how I felt about these things because of my parents.
She nodded, and I headed out.
I started my car and drove to Brad's house. I parked and went inside.
The music pulsed through the air, the bass vibrating against my skin as I walked into Brad's house. It smelled of alcohol, sweat, and the faint scent of expensive cologne.
And then I saw him.
He was standing by the pool, laughing with Brad and the rest of the football team, looking like he owned the place. When his eyes met mine, something flickered in them—maybe relief, maybe surprise. I wasn't sure. But then he gave me that grin that always made my stomach flip.
"You came," he said, stepping toward me. His fingers found my waist, warm and familiar.
"Of course," I whispered, standing on my toes to kiss him. "I missed you."
I didn't tell him the truth. That I was lonely. That I needed to feel close to him, to someone.
His hands tightened around me. "Come with me," he murmured into my ear, his breath warm against my skin.
We slipped away from the party, past people who were drunk and whispering gossip, and found a quiet, dimly lit corner.
Carter pushed me gently against the wall, his body pressed against mine. His fingers trailed up my arm, slow, deliberate, as if memorising every inch of me.
"You have no idea what you do to me," he murmured, his lips grazing my jawline.
I shivered, my breath hitching.
His hand slid down, resting against my thigh before inching upward. My skin burned where he touched. His other hand cupped my face, his thumb brushing my lower lip.
"Carter," I whispered, my heart hammering.
"Yeah, baby?"
I swallowed hard, feeling the tension coil between us. "Not here..."
But Carter was lost in the moment. His lips trailed down my neck, his hands slipping under my dress, his fingers teasing against my skin.
I gasped, he started stroking my clit, and a moan left my mouth, and then I could feel his finger slide inside slowly, and the pace became harder. I knew we should stop because we were not alone, but my body started betraying me, wanting more, but knowing we weren't alone.
And then, suddenly—
A bright light. The unmistakable sound of a camera shutter.
Our heads snapped up.
Matt.
Standing a few feet away, his camera raised, smirking as if he had just won the lottery.
"What the hell?" Carter's body tensed, his jaw clenching.
My stomach dropped.
Matt ran.
"Oh God," I whispered, my breath shallow. "He has those pictures—"
Carter turned to me, grabbing my shoulders. "Don't worry, babe. I'll take care of it."
I stared at him, searching his face. He looked angry, determined. But beneath it, something else. Fear?
I wanted to believe him.
I knew something was wrong the moment I stepped into the school hallway. The air felt different—thicker, heavier, charged with something unseen but suffocating. Conversations hushed as I walked past. Stares followed me like shadows, whispers curling around me like smoke.
Her stomach twisted.
I reached for her phone with trembling fingers, and she opened the school website only to see A photo of her and Carter. The pool house. His hands are gripping my thighs. My dress was slightly raised, revealing just enough to make it look... compromising.
No. No, no, no.
My breath hitched as she scrolled through the comments.
"Didn't know Olivia was that easy."
"She was desperate for attention."
"She's just another school slut."
The word slut burned into her mind.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my chest rising and falling in rapid, uneven gasps. The walls felt like they were closing in.
Laughter echoed down the hallway. I forced myself to look up and saw him—Carter. He was standing with his football friends, talking and laughing as if nothing had happened. Like I wasn't standing there, falling apart, my reputation ruined. Then, his eyes met mine.
For a second, something flickered in his eyes—guilt, fear, maybe regret. But instead of coming over or saying anything, he looked away, like I was nothing. A sharp pain hit me, worse than any slap or insult.
How could he?
I didn't go to class.
I waited for Carter outside his biology lecture, ignoring the curious glances of passing students. The moment he walked out, I grabbed his arm and yanked him aside.
"What the hell, Carter?" My voice shook, but my grip on him was firm. "I trusted you!"
His jaw tensed, and he quickly glanced around at the students lingering nearby. "Liv, keep your voice down," he muttered.
i let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I embarrassing you?" I shoved my phone into his face. "You said you'd handle this! And now the whole school thinks I—"
He exhaled sharply, cutting me off. "Maybe you should've thought about that before acting like..."
Slap.
The sharp sound echoed through the hallway.
Carter's head snapped to the side, his cheek burning red. Shock, anger... something else flashed in his eyes.
And then Brad grabbed me. His grip was like iron around my wrist as he yanked me back. His smirk made my skin crawl.
"Olivia," Brad drawled, his voice oozing mock amusement as he leaned back against the locker beside mine, arms folded like he owned the damn hallway. "You made the mistake, and now you're slapping people? Wow. I mean, first you flirted with me, and when I didn't give you the time of day, you ran off to Carter to become his gf just to hook up in public. How can someone be so desperate for attention?"
The hallway filled with laughter—sharp, echoing, and cruel.
I blinked, stunned. Did he just—?
My chest rose and fell with the weight of it. My fingers trembled, not with fear, but fury.
What the hell is he talking about?
Brad Stanford was the same guy who had tried to force himself on me two years ago. The same guy she'd slapped so hard it left a mark. The same guy who'd been humiliated in front of the entire cheer squad because I stood up for myself.
And now... this?
He was twisting everything, turning the truth into a joke and making me look like the villain. And Carter just stood there. He didn't laugh or say anything. His silence hurt more than any insult.
"You're lying," i said, in a low voice. "You know what you did."
Brad's grin widened, smug and mean.
More laughter. Whispers. Phones recording.
My ears rang, blood roaring in my head, but I forced myself to keep standing, to keep breathing, even though every part of me wanted to run. Not this time. Not again.
i looked at Carter, praying—Please. Say something. Tell them he's lying. Tell them you know me better than this.
Defend me. Do something. But he just stood there. Then he looked away, like a coward.
That broke me more than any of Brad's words ever could.
My chest tightened and my vision blurred. Tears stung at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Without another word, I pulled my wrist free and ran.
Flashback Ends
The sound of my name snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Miss Price?" Mr Jenkins was staring at me from the front of the classroom, the eyes of twenty other students turning to follow. My stomach twisted with the weight of their stares.
I sat up straighter, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Yes, sir. I'm here."
He gave me a look that wasn't annoyed or kind, just tired. "Good. As I was saying, the essay is due next week. No excuses."
The bell rang before I could even process that sentence. Everyone poured out of the classroom in a wave of noise. I stayed behind a few seconds longer, collecting my things, still shaken from the confrontation in the hallway earlier. My fingers were still trembling.
The principal had asked to see me.
Great. Just what I needed.
His office smelled faintly of wood polish and old books. Principal Harris sat behind his big desk, looking at me like he wasn't sure if he should lecture me or give me a hug.
"Olivia," he said, gesturing toward the chair opposite him. "Come in. Have a seat."
I did, tucking my hands between my knees to keep from fidgeting.
"I'm guessing you don't know why I called you here."
I shook my head, my voice caught in my throat.
He leaned forward. "You used to be one of the top students in this school. Focused. Determined. You had a plan. Journalism, right?"
I nodded slowly.
"You're taking English Lit, Drama, History, Humanities, Mass Comm, and Gym. A full, heavy load. But Olivia... your grades have dropped. Significantly. Last semester, you barely made a 2.8. You need at least a 3.5 to keep your scholarship."
I stared at the edge of his desk. His words weren't harsh, but they hit like a slap.
"I—thank you, sir. I'll do better," I said quickly, the guilt pressing down on me. "I promise. I really will."
He gave me a small, sad smile. "I know the last couple of years have been hard on you. And I mean it when I say—you've always been one of my favourites. But Olivia, you have to find your way back. You can't let what happened destroy your future. Get help. Talk to someone. Please."
I swallowed the lump rising in my throat and nodded. "Thank you, sir."
As I stood to leave, I opened the door a little too fast and collided with someone solid.
"Watch where you're going," came a deep, irritated voice.
I froze.
He was tall, even taller than Carter, and had a quiet, intense presence. His eyes were a sharp, striking green, piercing and hard to read, and he narrowed them at me like I was just an interruption. A thin scar ran above his brow, and the rest of his face was dangerously perfect—not in a pretty-boy way, but in a rugged, sharp way that made my stomach twist.
"So—sorry," I stammered, stepping aside awkwardly. Why was I nervous?
He didn't answer. Just gave me a look, like I was something mildly annoying but unimportant, and walked past me into the office.
I stood there, staring at the door that had just closed behind him.
Who the hell was that?
His voice echoed in my head—low, rough, disinterested.
Stop it, Olivia, I told myself. You look like a stalker.
Still rattled, I turned and made my way to my next class, pretending like I wasn't still hearing his voice in my ears or seeing those eyes in my head.
Hope you liked my story!